During American Education Week, Teacher Peach honors and acknowledges the many professionals who make our schools great environments in which to learn and teach. Today, on Substitute Educators Day, we focus on a very special kind of teacher who is a vital lynchpin in the educational system—the substitute teacher. Substitute teachers perform many feats, not the least of which is often walking into an unfamiliar classroom with little or no notice or prep time, charged with keeping the learning going—smoothly—at many different grade levels and subject areas.
American Education Week Summary 3
Schools depend on the teams of substitute teachers that regularly support their core teaching staffs. From extended substitute teacher assignments for maternity or medical leaves to coverage for a sudden and unexpected teacher absence for the flu, substitute teachers must be highly adaptable. Substitute teachers must be able to engage a diverse range of students quickly and command unfamiliar classrooms effectively. Substitute educators must be facile with technology, too, able to find and project documents, working in many different systems to pick up where the absent teachers had left off.
While teachers and principals clearly recognize the need for “great subs” and a strong substitute educators’ strategy, students are not always so appreciative of the many challenges substitute teachers must tackle. Some students don’t make the substitute educator’s job easier, either; students sometimes view a day with a substitute teacher as a day without consequences that matter, an ideal time to act out. While this behavior may not change for some students, the support that substitute teachers receive from their peers and colleagues can go a long way to help substitute educators effectively cover many different kinds of classes—and connect with students in order to teach and keep the classes on track.
Today, on Substitute Educators Day, we extend our thanks to each and every one of these amazing substitute teachers and educators.
Links at Your Fingertips
- Substitute Educators Day 2015
Written by NEA, this overview article provides downloads, videos, and lots of factual information about substitute teachers.
- Plan Now to Celebrate American Education Week
This article contains additional information about American Education Week and ways to participate in the celebration.
- American Education Week History
The history about American Education Week is not only interesting background, it can help to begin and provide rich content for conversations with students about showing respect for substitute educators.
Share These Freebies to Thank Substitute Teachers
The many substitute teachers in our schools deserve a thank you—from our communities, families, teachers, and students—not just during American Education Week. Substitute teachers make measurable contributions throughout the school year.
To honor and acknowledge the many contributions performed the substitutes in your schools on Substitute Educators Day, download these colorful PDFs and display them in your classrooms, in hallways, post them on your website, pin them, and share them. The more people who promote this message, the wider the reach will be.
Not only does this poster send a positive acknowledgement to substitute educators, it helps to signal to all students that substitute educators play an important role in your school. This message also communicates that substitute educators deserve, and receive from you, the same respect as any other teacher.
Invite your peers and faculty to use these posters as the start of an in-school campaign to support substitute educators, starting on Substitute Educators Day.
Teacher Gifts for Substitute Educators
American Education Week is a wonderful time to express thanks to the many substitute educators in your school. Check out these products that make meaningful and functional substitute teacher gifts.
This collection of pocket folders includes a special Substitute Teacher folder and is great for both teachers and substitute educators. A little bit of planning goes a long way. By taking time to fill these folders with pertinent information before a short, unexpected or extended, anticipated absence, you’ll both be better prepared for any substitute assignment.
Because it is important to send the message to everyone that substitute educators are important teachers in their own right, ensure your favorite subs are seen as the capable teachers that they are. Give them a teacher gift of this awesome “I am a teacher” canvas tote to transport their many school materials.
On any given day, substitute teachers don’t know what supplies might—or might not—be waiting in their assigned classrooms. Help substitute educators to be prepared with this Travel kit. This portable set of supplies helps any sub on the go.
- How do you support and champion the substitute educators in your school?
- How did your school and students show appreciation to substitute educators for their work during American Education Week?
- Can you think of other products that Teacher Peach can create to help substitute educators?
Let us know below.
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